Three Cheers for 2013!

By Errol Mazursky - Executive Director

2013 National Fellows

When ELP first launched this GlobalGiving Project at the beginning of the year we were looking forward to the selection of new Fellows for our New England and Eastern Regional Networks. Since that time, we have added a new Chesapeake Regional Network (for those living and/or working in DC, MD and VA) AND launched a brand new National Fellowship Program! Collectively, ELP has welcomed 71 new Fellows into our community this year and laying plans for an even bigger 2014!

Our 2013 Regional Networks are preparing for their 3rd retreats which will focus on several themes including: developing your personal brand, strength based leadership and a leader's role as a network weaver. The Eastern Region will have their 3rd retreat next week while the New England Region will have theirs in November followed by the Chesapeake Region in December. Upon completion of their 3rd retreats all Fellows will join our Senior Fellows Network which will continue to provide individuals with learning opportunities and opportunties for engagement.

As we begin turning our eyes to 2014, and the excitement of welcoming up to 100 new Fellows next year - I hope you join me today for our final GlobalGiving Matching Campaign. Your contribution on October 23rd will recieve a 30% match. Resources raised during this campaign will be used to support scholarships of our 2014 Fellows, ensuring that noone accepted into the program is denied the opportunity to participate due to financial constraints.

Thank you again for all of the tremendous support you have provided in the past, this year, and the years ahead!

Update on EWCL Class Projects

The 2013-2014 Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders class is actively working on their group conservation projects. The four species being helped by this class are:

Snow Leopard

The Snow Leopard Group is partnering with Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation and 2012 EWCL graduate Nadia Mijidorj to educate youth in Mongolia whose daily life choices directly impact the future of snow leopards and to educate targeted North American audiences who can influence long-term conservation of the species.

Indian Turtles

The Freshwater Turtles of India Group is identifying alternative types of fishing nets that will reduce turtle bycatch but are equally effective at capturing fish. They will also work to procure these nets for distribution on the ground in India at stakeholder workshops about protecting the local environment.

Giant Armadillo

The Giant Armadillo Group is conducting a public education campaign in Brazil focused on leveraging the armadillo mascot of the upcoming World Cup in Brazil to help secure conservation measures for the species. The campaign includes outreach in Brazilian and North American zoos in order to bring attention to the plight of this rare and little-known species.

African Painted Dogs

The African Painted Dog Group is working to protect a key population of this critically endangered species in Zimbabwe by helping to redesign and fund reflective, anti-snare collars that will reduce losses from poaching and car collisions and by increasing global awareness of the painted dog’s plight through an educational campaign.

ELP's New England 2013 Class Begins!

Seventeen emerging leaders arrived at the Friendly Crossways Retreat Center in Harvard, MA on May 16th as strangers - by the time they departed 4 days later they had become a tight knit community.

Engaged in a full day of community building prior to delving into two days of intense diversity work, the class quickly learned the ELP Program is a learning process that embraces the wisdom in the room.

"ELP offers a truly unique opportunity to not only grow as an individual and as part of a community, but to find hope and inspiration in the network or compassionate, intelligent and visionary Fellows who are at the core of the program" Hanna Lentz

We are very excited to track the progress of our 8th New England Class which will be working on their Personal Leadership Plans over the next 7 weeks. The class's next retreat will take place August 8 - 11th in conjunction with our 2013 Eastern Regional Network.

As our 2013 regional programs are now underway, ELP is actively recruiting for our new National Fellowship Program. Applications will be accepted through July 1st. More information can be found at http://www.elpnet.org/national-fellowship-program

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